The deals - between Apple and Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette Livre and Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrink, owner of Macmillan - were only viable as long as the publishers didn't extend those rates to other sellers, including Amazon.

The end

Apple and the gaggle of publishers made the proposal in September, at which time the European Commission said it would seek feedback from competing companies and consumers.

One Reuters source said commissioners haven't asked for more concessions.

"The commission is likely to accept the offer and announce its decision next month," the source said.

Pearson Plc's Penguin group is also under investigation but was not part of the September offer.

TechRadar has reached out to Amazon and Apple and will update this story if and when the companies respond.